







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| The recipe is not from the internet, it's from a Jamie Oliver book. | |
| Don't you think two forks are enough for us? | |
| To me, wasting it is weirder! | |
| Is there any other cat around? | |
| Yeah, I think killing mosquitoes is fair. | |
| Yes, it is, but yours isn't so obvious. | |
| I hope he gets well soon. | |
| Oh hello... I forgot to mention, it's also a very special occasion... | |
| How do you get to Brighton? | |
| Absolutely not, while you are working you smoke like a chimney. | |
| Erm, sorry, but I think you have the wrong Mike... | |
| That's why I never trust quiet people... | |
| I'm an English teacher. | |
| I hate taking long flights! | |
| My sisters live nearby, they help her sometimes. | |
| But maybe they are splitting up, I don't know yet. | |
| Oh, your girlfriend's cat... Does she live here with you? | |
| Of course! It's my favourite pub. | |
| That's why you can't find the answer! | |
| My rent is monthly, I pay £600 per month. | |